Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York State’s plans to install 100 new fast chargers in New York City as the 2024 New York International Auto Show kicks off. Today’s announcement builds on New York’s $1 billion investment in electrifying its transportation sector, which is vital to reducing emissions and achieving Climate Act goals.

“2024’s Auto Show welcomes all New Yorkers and visitors to the Javits Center to see the latest and greatest car models and to learn about electric vehicles and fast charging,” Governor Hochul said. “Electric vehicle purchases have risen 660 percent in the last five years, and we are increasing the availability of EV fast chargers throughout New York. I encourage New Yorkers and visitors to come see the Auto Show and learn more about electric transportation and its benefits.”

In partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), the New York Power Authority (NYPA) is building more than 100 new fast chargers in New York City. This includes 76 high-speed chargers at thirteen new EVolve NY hubs, 20 fast chargers owned by the City and currently in design, and 12 chargers at LaGuardia Airport, slated to begin construction next year. Most sites currently in design will be completed in 2025, with all online by 2026. The International Auto Show, which runs March 29 through April 7 at the Javits Center, invites people to take a test ride in eight EV models on the Level 1 EV test track and to stop by the state’s Charge NY exhibit to learn about incentives for purchasing EVs and programs that support charger growth throughout New York. Auto Show visitors can take a ride, with a professional driver, in a range of new model EVs and explore exhibits that promote consumer awareness and EV adoption.

Visitors to the state’s Charge NY booth can see a map of New York charging sites and plan travel routes on an interactive platform to see where to charge and estimates for how long charging will take at each station. State agency representatives shared information about New York’s programs for making EV driving easier at a panel discussion this morning.

EVolve NY Fast-Charging Network Expanding Across State

The Power Authority is building out high-speed chargers along New York State’s major travel corridors through its EVolve NY network. Over the past four years, 170 chargers have been installed at 43 sites, making it easy to travel from New York City to Buffalo, the Adirondacks or Montauk. 38 additional EVolve NY sites are in development, with a total of 90 sites and 400 chargers planned by the end of 2025.

EVolve NY’s mission is to make it significantly easier for New Yorkers to drive across the state and find fast chargers so they can power up and get back on the road quickly. Battery-powered EVs equipped with fast charging capability can charge up in as little as 20 minutes.

EV Consumer Adoption on the Rise

New York State has 200,000 EVs on the road as of February 2024. Growing the number of electric vehicles is supported by programs like the Drive Clean Rebate, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The program has issued more than 132,000 rebates to New Yorkers, totaling more than $135 million, in all 62 counties since 2017. The incentive can also be combined with the federal Inflation Reduction Act tax credit of up to $7,500 for eligible buyers of qualified clean vehicles.

There are currently more than 14,000 Level 2 and DCFC fast chargers installed across the state. The first new fast electric vehicle chargers under NYSERDA’s Direct Current Fast Charger program, which also provides funding for fast charging stations in areas where access is limited, were recently installed by EV Gateway in Ithaca, Owego and Vestal and are expected to be operational this spring. Additionally, the $15 million Charge Ready 2.0 program is available to support installing Level 2 chargers at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings, and public facilities, and complements other initiatives such as EV Make Ready, EVolve NY and the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) programs.

In January 2024, New York State was awarded $15 million in federal funding to build out electric vehicle charging in small- to medium-sized cities, state parks and other tourist destinations, such as hotels and $13 million to repair or replace broken or non-operational electric vehicle charging ports.